SINFONI/VLT 3D spectroscopy of massive galaxies: Evidence of rotational support at z~1.4

TL;DR

This study uses 3D spectroscopy to show that about half of massive galaxies at z~1.4 are rotationally supported disks, indicating rapid acquisition of rotational support and ongoing evolution beyond stellar population fading.

Contribution

First direct dynamical evidence that a significant fraction of massive galaxies at z~1.4 are rotationally supported disks, expanding understanding of galaxy evolution.

Findings

50% of galaxies are rotationally supported disks

Higher fraction of disks at z~1.4 than in the present universe

Evidence of ongoing interactions and mergers

Abstract

There is cumulative evidence showing that, for the most massive galaxies, the fraction of disk-like objects compared to those with spheroidal properties increases with redshift. However, this evolution is thus far based on the surface brightness study of these objects. To explore the consistency of this scenario, it is necessary to measure the dynamical status of these galaxies. With this aim we have obtained seeing-limited near-infrared integral field spectra in the H-band for 10 massive galaxies (M_{stellar} >10^{11} h_{70}^-2 M_{Sun}) at z~1.4 with SINFONI at the VLT. Our sample is selected by their stellar mass and EW[OII] > 15 \AA, to secure their kinematic measurements, but without accounting for any morphological or flux criteria a priori. Through this 3D kinematic spectroscopy analysis we find that half (i.e. 50+/-7%) of our galaxies are compatible with being rotationally supported disks, in agreement with previous morphological expectations. This is a factor of approximately two higher than what is observed in the present Universe for objects of the same stellar mass. Strikingly, the majority of our sample of massive galaxies show extended and fairly high rotational velocity maps, implying that massive galaxies acquire rapidly rotational support and hence gravitational equilibrium. Our sample also show evidence for ongoing interactions and mergers. Summarizing, massive galaxies at high-z show a significant diversity and must have continued evolution beyond the fading of stellar populations, to become their present day counterparts.